Words by Anna Macpherson //
Shaggy hair, epic energy and summery feel-good tunes are what Aussie surf-rock favourites The Terrys are renowned for and with the release of their sophomore album Skate Pop, it’s clear to see these festival favourites are only just getting started.
From good ol’ Tezza’s shed out the back of lazy Gerringong emerged this bare-footed group of musical legends – Jacob, Trent, Cam, Ben and Lukas. Crawling out of the woodwork during the lockdown of 2020, these boys have developed a sound so feel-good you’ll be wishing you had dreads to throw about. From labourers to established musicians, The Terrys took sudden unemployment in their stride and allowed their musical explorations to flourish. Having never played in bands before the pandemic, you can’t help but feel inspired by their journey, creating a fan base so passionate they even have listeners rocking up with Tezza tattoos!
In the four years since, The Terrys have certainly climbed the musical ladder. Following the release of their debut album True Colours’ in 2022, the band sold out shows in the UK, EU and NZ, featured at numerous Aussie festivals, joined the Triple J Like a Version club and had a hot streak in 2023’s Hottest 100 coming in at #93, #103 and #181. The Terry’s sophomore album Skate Pop couldn’t be more keenly anticipated.
Listening to Skate Pop, it’s clear The Terrys are exploring new sounds and ideas within their music. The album is flooded with the typical Terrys feel-good colour we all know and love with festival bangers such as ‘Silent Disco’ and ‘No Bad Days’. However, the incorporation of more polished pop-sounds as well as acoustic moments filled with profound self-reflections on young adult life, demonstrate a depth of sound and ethos we haven’t witnessed before.
Jumping straight into the album, we’re welcomed by ‘Head Noise’, a classic Terrys feel-good festival sing-along flooded with skate rock guitar riffs, an epic lead guitar solo and a catchy chorus. While maintaining their upbeat and rugged Terrys energy the band are newly exploring a level of depth, empathy and connectedness to their young listeners. ‘Head Noise’ touches on topics of stress and feeling overwhelmed in your own head yet still maintains an optimistic outlook. This track truly feels like a hand reaching out from the band saying there’s light at the end of the tunnel and we’re here with you all the way through. ‘Head Noise’ is the perfect track to welcome their listeners to Skate Pop with wide open arms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ocrfZvLvKM
As you make your way further through the album, it becomes clear The Terrys felt no limitations on genre as they crafted Skate Pop. ‘Daisy’s Drop’, the eight track on the album demonstrates the band’s brilliance of depth and song writing. What begins as an acoustic track littered with early Terrys colours reflective of OG tunes such as ‘Wise Man’ and ‘Wig Out’ soon becomes a track of much wider emotion.
Lead singer Jacob sings to his friend Daisy in search of sympathy, asking if she shares the same struggles that he does. This feels like another hand in the dark connecting with the audience on topics that may be hard to communicate yet are very real, offering support through validation and connectedness: “you’re not the only one who feels this way”. Just as the song begins to gently mellow out, a sudden drum beat breaks through the silence into a dramatic and emotional finale filled with colour, energy and passion! Hell yeah!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaTwiCN1qc0
‘If You Get That’ is an expressive yet beautifully simplistic ballad filled with delicate strings, gentle acoustic guitar and of course Jacob’s iconic raspy vocals. Coming in at one of the final tracks on the album, this bittersweet and heartfelt tune may well be my favourite track from Skate Pop. A dramatic contrast again to our classical Terrys energy yet the song perfectly encapsulates the band’s ability to strip back all the layers and create something raw and meaningful.
Dabbling again in themes of uncertainty and discomfort, ‘If You Get That’ is another door opening between The Terrys and their listeners. It reflects authentically on personal struggles in a way that provides support to the close-knit community of listeners they’ve formed over the years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUrEE22LwxE
It’s refreshing to hear a band who have generated a fan base so committed to their sound take a risk and explore exciting new genres the way The Terrys have on Skate Pop. This epic collection of songs retains The Terrys summery and exciting energy while adding an exploration of complexities and struggles through more poignant tracks. This combination will cater to dedicated Terrys fans but should also appeal to a whole new set of Terrydactyls!
So jump in the car, wind down the windows, turn the volume alllll the way up and allow Skate Pop to take you on a journey.
